Question

Express the quantity 556.2 X 10 -12 s in each unit.

a. ms

b. ns

c. ps

d. fs

Video Transcript

Hey guys, in this new question we're given a new value and we have to convert it from its base uniform to its metric prefix form, so the number they give us is 556.2x10^-12 seconds so seconds represents our base unit so we're going to have to convert the base unit of seconds to each one of these new metric prefixes we're going to need room to do this guys so let me take myself out of the image so for the first one we're asked to basically convert it into milliseconds so we're going to start out with our value. We need to get rid of seconds so seconds goes on the bottom we're converted to milliseconds so milliseconds go on the top remember that 1 is associated with the metric prefix so 1 milli is 10^-3, now when you punch this into your calculator the correct answer that you should get is 5.562x10-7 seconds.

Now for the next one, they asked us to change seconds into nanoseconds so we're starting out with the same value again so 556.2x10^-12 seconds, again we place seconds on the bottom nanoseconds on top again remember 1 is associated with the metric prefix for every one Nano it's 10^-9 when you punch it into your calculator you should get 5.562x10^-1 seconds and remember because this is times 10 to a power it's best if you put it in parentheses in your calculator otherwise it may give you an incorrect answer.

So now we have to change it to picoseconds so again same thing and you notice that the processes are very similar to one another, seconds are here we're going to place seconds on the bottom, the new metric prefix we're looking for on top again the metric prefix gets the 1 so 1 Pico is 10^-12 so that gives me 556.2 picoseconds.

Here, now are doing femtoseconds so again seconds goes on the bottom femtoseconds goes on top, 1 femto is equal to 10^-15 so those cancel out and we'll get 5.562x10^5 femtoseconds. So, all we here was we converted our base unit of seconds to each one of these brand-new metric prefixes so it's going to become vital that you guys just remember what each metric prefix is connected to in terms of 10 to what power and then how to put it all together always write your units so you can see what cancels out so you can find out what unit you have left at the end.